Environmental Rules in Bristol, CT (2026)
4 verified environmental rules for Bristol, Connecticut, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
The City of Bristol requires any landowner whose property creates a long-term storm water problem, or any developer whose project needs a detention pond, retention pond, dam, drainage ditch or storm drain, to submit a management plan to the City Council and fund a perpetual maintenance endowment. Under Code §§ 22-126 through 22-128, the City Council can accept dedication of the facility only after a formal hearing finds the endowment actuarially sound and the engineering adequate.
Bristol Storm Water Control Endowment
Some RestrictionsBristol Code of Ordinances §§ 22-126, 22-127(a)
Whenever the city council shall determine that the need for long term storm water control exists in any area or property, the owners of the land where the problem originates, or exists, shall be directed to make and submit to the city council a plan for the control and perpetual management thereof and an endowment plan to cover future costs of care and management. ... (a)In the event that a sto...
Erosion Control
The City of Bristol has adopted Connecticut's flood and erosion control statutes, C.G.S. §§ 25-84 to 25-94, in full under Code of Ordinances § 8-1. The city council itself sits as the flood and erosion control board, and the public works director must report to it twice a year.
Bristol Adopts State Flood, Erosion Law
Light RestrictionsBristol Code of Ordinances §§ 8-1, 8-2
The city hereby adopts the provisions of sections 25-84 to 25-94 inclusive of the General Statutes of Connecticut, Revision of 1958 as amended, pertaining to flood and erosion control. ... The city council is hereby constituted as the flood and erosion control board for the city and, as such board, shall have all the duties and powers granted by state statutes. The director of public works shal...
Flood Zones
Before any development activity begins in a Bristol special flood hazard area, Appendix D § 3.3 requires a floodplain development permit from the city engineer, acting as ordinance administrator. Applicants pay $5 to $100 depending on use type, and violating the ordinance is a misdemeanor punishable under § 7.6 by daily fines of up to $250, imprisonment, and payment of the city's legal costs.
Bristol Floodplain Development Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsBristol Code of Ordinances, Appendix D (Flood Damage Prevention) §§ 3.3, 7.6
A floodplain development permit shall be required in conformance with the provisions of this ordinance prior to the commencement of any development activities. ... 7.6. ... Penalties for violation. Violation of the provisions of this ordinance or failure to comply with any of its requirements, including violation of conditions and safeguards established in connection with grants of variance or ...
Flood Elevation Requirements
Bristol requires new residential construction and substantial improvements inside a special flood hazard area to elevate the lowest floor, including any basement, at least one foot above the base flood elevation, per Appendix D § 5.3.1(a). Utility equipment serving the structure must sit at or above that same elevation, and nonresidential buildings face the identical one-foot standard or certified flood-proofing instead.
Bristol Base Flood Elevation Freeboard Rule
Some RestrictionsBristol Code of Ordinances, Appendix D (Flood Damage Prevention) §§ 5.3.1(a), 5.3.2(b)
5.3.1. (a) Residential construction. New construction or substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated at least to one (1) foot above the base flood elevation (BFE). Electrical, plumbing, machinery or other utility equipment that service the structure must be elevated to or above the BFE. ... 5.3.2. (b) Nonresidential construction...